Roof standing water eliminator

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for draining standing water from low areas in a flat roof surface. The apparatus is contained in a housing whose base is closed and is sealed in such a low area. Water accumulated on the roof surface draining into such a low area flows into the housing of the invention through appropriate holes formed therein. A float arrangement within the housing senses accumulated water and activates a pump therein to exhaust through a drain line water from the roof area. The float arrangement senses the exhaustion of accumulated water from the low spot and automatically cuts off electrical power to the pump turning off the system until another water accumulation is sensed. A heating arrangement, combining a thermostat with a source of electrical energy that is distinct from the electrical flow through the float arrangement and pump, is provided within the housing to protect against freezing. The standing water eliminator is arranged to exhaust water from a roof surface through a main discharge line leading from the roof surface. Suction lines coming from other low areas on the roof surface, connected to the main line at a point below the roof eave, so that when water flows through the main discharge line each suction line has a suction created therein, that draws water through the line into the main discharge line. Siphon flow through each of the suction lines, once begun, will continue until water is eliminated from the low area within which the suction line is positioned.

United States Patent 1191 Duncan [11] 3,757,812 Sept. 11, 1973 1 ROOF STANDING WATER ELIMINATOR [76] lnventor: James E. Duncan, 1489 N. 400 West,

Bountiful, Utah 84010 [22] Filed: Jan. 3, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 214,651

Primary Examiner-Henry T. Klinksiek Att0rneyB. Deon Criddle [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for draining standing water from low areas in a flat roof surface. The apparatus is contained in a housing whose base is closed and is sealed in such a low area. Water accumulated on the roof surface draining into such a low area flows into the housing of the invention through appropriate holes formed therein. A float arrangement within the housing senses accumulated water and activates a pump therein to exhaust through a drain line water from the roof area. The float arrangement senses the exhaustion of accumulated water from the low spot and automatically cuts off electrical power to the pump turning off the system until another water accumulation is sensed. A heating arrangement, combining a thermostat with a source of electrical energy that is distinct from the electrical flow through the float arrangement and pump, is provided within the housing to protect against freezing.

The standing water eliminator is arranged to exhaust water from a roof surface through a main discharge line leading from the roof surface. Suction lines coming from other low areas on the roof surface, connected to the main line at a point below the roof eave, so that when water flows through the main discharge line each suction line has a suction created therein, that draws water through the line into the main discharge line. Siphon flow through each of the suction lines, once begun, will continue until water is eliminated from the low area within which the suction line is positioned.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures vmmsnia ma SHEET 1 0F 2 FIG FIG 2 IHHHHH HIHI PAIENImmIm SHEET 2 0F 2 1 ROOF STANDING WATER ELIMINATOR BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The construction of buildings having flat roofs is common. Such roofs are normally gently sloped towards a common gravity drain or are sloped outward to side drains that are supposed to eliminate water from the roof surface. With age, and even sometimes during and shortly after construction, a flat roof will tend to settle, and low spots develop therein. Such low spots tend to collect water, the continued presence of which on the roof surface tends to speed up the natural processes of deterioration of the roof within the low spot. Water accumulation tends thereby to shorten roof life often causing leaks to develop through the roof in such a low area. In actual practice, a roof which is dry tends to have a useful life that is longer by a number of years than is the life of a roof having low spots with water accumulated therein.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for automatically eliminating accumulations of water from low areas in a flat roof.

Another object is to provide an apparatus that is protected with a heating arrangement which functions automatically to supply heat to the apparatus of the invention to prevent freezing of the components therein.

Still another object is to provide an apparatus whose operation creates a suction force in suction lines connected to a discharge line from the apparatus, such that water is pulled through each suction line to evacuate, simultaneously, water from a number of low spots in a roof surface.

To accomplish these objectives, I utilize as principal features a box housing wherein is mounted a bottom inlet liquid pump whose operation is automatically controlled by a liquid level sensor composed of a water level sensing float arrangement in combination with a mercury type electrical switch. The liquid pump and water level sensing float are mounted within the housing such that the water inlet area of the liquid pump is proximate to the base area of the housing, and the water level sensing float is arranged to elevate when there is a water accumulation therein.

The sump or bottom of the housing of the invention is closed and is preferably sunk and sealed into a low spot in a flat roof surface. The housing has a collar projecting outwardly from around its sides that is connected with the surface of the roof. Water inlets are arranged through the housing at points above the flashing so as to be proximate to the roof surface to accommodate water flow therethrough.

A thermostatically controlled heater arrangement is maintained within the housing to provide heat during cold weather to the components therein.

Suction lines having their ends maintained in other low spots on the flat roof are connected at their other ends to the main discharge at a point in the main discharge line that is below the roof eave. Water flow through the main discharge line develops a siphon within each suction line that tends to pull water therethrough, which flow, once begun, will continue until the source of water for the individual suction line is exhausted. Once started, the siphon flow continues, whether or not water flow through the main discharge line is interrupted, until the water source is exhausted.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings disclosing what is presently contemplated as being the best mode of the invention.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the housing top removed to expose the apparatus contained therein;

FIG. 2, a vertical section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the float arrangement of the invention;

and

FIG. 3, a schematic view of the invention installed on a flat roof surface, showing two section lines connected to the main discharge line of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION outwardly therefrom. A closed base or sump 13, shown as dashed lines in FIG. 1 constructed below collar 12 forms a bottom extension of the sides housing 11. A number of holes 14 are arranged through the upstanding sides of housing 11, so as to be above but closely proximate to the collar 12. A discharge line 15, coming from a liquid pump 16, that is contained within housing 11, is fitted through one side 11a of housing 11 and as shown in FIG. 3, extends over the side of a building 36 on which the invention is maintained.

The eliminator 10, shown in FIG. 3, is installed in a low area of a roof having its sump 13 sunk below the roof surface. Collar 12 provides a housing connection point to which the roof surface is sealed. Water accumulating in the low spot flows through holes 14 into the sump 13. A bottom inlet liquid pump 16, mounted by a bracket 17 to an inner side of the eliminator 10 has its inlet arranged to admit water accumulated in the bottom of the sump 13. There are a number of bottom inlet liquid pumps on the market that could be used satisfactorily as the pump for the eliminator. The invention is therefor not limited to any single liquid pump, but a liquid pump manufactured! by the Little Giant Pump Co. of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Model No. 1-ABS, has been found to operate satisfactorily as the pump of this apparatus.

Operation of the liquid pump 16 is controlled by a liquid level sensor 18, hereinafter referred to as sensor. The sensor 18, like pump 16, is mounted to bracket 17. Sensor 18 consists of a float 19 that is fixed axially to an upstanding rod 20 which slides through holes 220 and 22b formed in a float mount 21. Rod 20, as will be explained, is arranged to move up and down an arm 24 to which is fixed a mercury switch 27 such that elevation of rod 20 and arm 24 completes an electrical circuit through switch 27 to energize pump 16. Likewise, depression of float 19 and arm 24, uncovers the contacts 27a in switch 27 thereby cutting off electrical power to pump 16.

As shown in solid lines in FIG. 1, stops 23a and 23b are attached to rod 20 such that stop 23b rests on the top of the edge of hole 22b when the float 19 is fully depressed, as when there is no water accumulated in sump 13. An arm 24 is rotatably mounted to bracket 17 at a point that is proximate to its middle by a pin 25 to bracket 17, has rod 20 slidably fitted through a hole 26 in its one end 240. End 24a of arm 24 is arranged such that it rests on the lower leg of the float mount 21 when the float is fully depressed. The float 19 is of course fully depressed when the sump 13 is dry. Arm 24 mounts on its other end 24b, mercury switch 27 whose contacts 27a are above the mercury level when the float 19 is in its depressed attitude.

As water accumulates in the sump 13, float l9 rises, elevating rod 20, which slides freely in hole 26 until stop 23b thereon contacts the underside of the edges of hole 26. As rod 20 moves upwards, stop 23b elevates the end 24a of arm 24, thereby counter rotating the end 24b of arm 24, depressing the end of mercury switch 27. As mercury switch 27 is depressed contacts 27a are covered by the mercury 29 therein, completing an electrical circuit passing an electrical flow through wires 28a and 28b to operate the liquid pump 16. The distance between stops 23a and 23b on rod 20 is the height that float 19 will rise before elevating arm 24. Some water accumulation in sump 13 is thereby allowed prior to the energization of pump 16 to prohibit damage to the pump by operating it in a dry state. When water accumulated in the base is exhausted therefrom by liquid pump 16, float 19 is lowered thereby lowering rod 20 with stop 23a thereon. Stop 23a, in turn, contacts the top edge of hole 26, forcing arm 24 downward, rotating upward the end of switch 27, uncovering contacts 27a breaking the electrical contact and shutting off liquid pump 16.

Electrical power is supplied to the liquid pump 16 and sensor 18 through a junction box 30 that is mounted to the side 11a of housing 11. An electrical line 31 leads from the junction box to the liquid pump 16. A second electrical line 32 branches off from line 31, going through a thermostat control 33, into an electrical heating tape 34 that surrounds the liquid pump 16 andsensor l8. Theremostat control 33 is set to pass electrical current therethrough when the temperature within the eliminator 10 drops below a set limit. Heating tape 34 provides heat on command from the thermostat control 33 to the component apparatus thereby preventing a discontinuance of the operations of the eliminator during cold weather.

FIG. 3 shows a utilization of the eliminator 10 with two dependent suction units 39 and 40, which eliminator and connected suction lines are each installed in different low spots in a flat roof. Suction lines 37 and 38 are connected to discharge line 15 at a point 35 that is below the eaves of building 36. Suction lines 37 and 38 extend from the dependent suction units 39 and 40, that are fitted into other low areas in the flat roof surface. Water pumped through discharge lines 15 creates a suction therein which tends to pull water available in suctions lines 37 and 38 through the suction lines into the main discharge line 15. The flow created is a siphon flow which, once begun, will continue until the individual low spot is drained. The siphon flow will continue whether or not the pump 16 continues to push water into the discharge line. It has been found in practice that at least four suction lines joined to the discharge line of the eliminator can be operated efficiently by the one eliminator.

It should be understood that the eliminator could be made portable by dispensing with the collar that projects outwardly from around the housing, positioning the water inlet arrangement of the housing on line with the housing bottom, and providing sufficient hose to extend from the eliminator over the side of the building. Such a portable unit is particularly useful to a roofing contractor who can use a portable eliminator to evacuate standing water from a low spot in a roof surface prior to his effecting repairs therein or installing a permanent roof standing water eliminator.

Although a preferred form of my invention has been herein disclosed it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

1 claim:

1. A roof standing water eliminator comprising a housing having openings formed in its sides that allow passage of water therethrough;

a sump in the housing beneath said openings;

a liquid pump mounted within said housing arranged so that its inlet admits water coming into said sump;

a sensor means within the sump for sensing water accumulations therein and regulating operations of said liquid pump to evacuate said water accumulations and to cease pumping operations when the water is evacuated from the housing;

a discharge line having one end connected to the outlet of said pump with a water drain means for evacuating and its other end discharging water from a roof surface; and

an outwardly projecting collar means fixed to the housing below said housing openings and above said sump for securing said housing in sealing arrangement within a surrounding roof surface where-by water on the roof surface enters said sump through said openings.

2. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises a float arranged to move vertically, floating on water accumulated within the housing;

an arm, rotatably mounted to the housing, whose one end is connected to said float moving vertically therewith; and

a conductive fluid filled switch fixed to the other end of said arm that is arrangedto pass an electrical current when said float is elevated, and to cut off electrical current flow when said float is lowered.

3. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 2, further including means associated with the float and the arm for allowing some water buildup within the housing prior to said arm being elevated to in turn displace the conductive fluid filled switch to pass electrical current to the liquid pump.

6. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 1, further including at least one siphon line having; one of its ends positioned within a low spot in the roof surface, arranged such that water accumulated therein covers said siphon line end, with the other end of said siphon line connected to the main discharge line at a point in the line that is below the eave of the roof surface on which the water eliminator is positioned.

III l t 

1. A roof standing water eliminator comprising a housing having openings formed in its sides that allow passage of water therethrough; a sump in the housing beneath said openings; a liquid pump mounted within said housing arranged so that its inlet admits water coming into said sump; a sensor means within the sump for sensing water accumulations therein and regulating operations of said liquid pump to evacuate said water accumulations and to cease pumping operations when the water is evacuated from the housing; a discharge line having one end connected to the outlet of said pump with a water drain means for evacuating and its other end discharging water from a roof surface; and an outwardly projecting collar means fixed to the housing below said housing openings and above said sump for securing said housing in sealing arrangement within a surrounding roof surface where-by water on the roof surface enters said sump through said openings.
 2. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor means comprises a float arranged to move vertically, floating on water accumulated within the housing; an arm, rotatably mounted to the housing, whose one end is connected to said float moving vertically therewith; and a conductive fluid filled switch fixed to the other end of said arm that is arranged to pass an electrical current when said float is elevated, and to cut off electrical current flow when said float is lowered.
 3. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 2, further including means associated with the float and the arm for allowing some water buildup within the housing prior to said arm being elevated to in turn displace the conductive fluid filled switch to pass electrical current to the liquid pump.
 4. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 1, further including heat generation means within the housing for supplying, on command from a temperature sensing means, heat to the liquid pump and sensor means when the temperature is below a set minimum limit.
 5. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 4, wherein the heat generation means consists of electrical heating tape wrapped around the non-moving parts of the liquid pump.
 6. A roof standing water eliminator as recited in claim 1, fUrther including at least one siphon line having one of its ends positioned within a low spot in the roof surface, arranged such that water accumulated therein covers said siphon line end, with the other end of said siphon line connected to the main discharge line at a point in the line that is below the eave of the roof surface on which the water eliminator is positioned. 